Combination doorhandle and safety locking device

Abstract

A combination door handle and locking device comprising a handle portion having a stem rotatable and slidable in a lock housing. A coil spring on the stem maintains pressure on the locking portion. At least one striking plate and adjacent keeper slot is provided on one end of the housing, and preferably two are provided, one on each end. A leaf spring adjacent the keeper slot applies pressure to the locking portion while it is in a closed position.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A combination door handle and locking device comprising: `(a) a locking portion comprising a stem adapted to be received in an opening in a door or drawer to be locked and an elongated locking element connected to one end of said stem and projecting outward of said stem; (b) a handle portion on said stem spaced from said locking element;   (c) a lock housing comprising spaced apart bearing plates having aligned openings therein, said stem being received in said openings of said bearing plates so as to be rotatable and slidable therein, a striking plate and adjacent keeper slot on at least one end of said lockhousing and positioned so that said locking element must override said striking plate in a radial motion as said stem is rotated before entering a locked position in said keeper slot; and   (d) biasing means operatively associated with said stem and said locking element for urging said locking element into said keeper slot upon said locking element passing over said striking plate and for causing pressure in substantially orthogonal directions against said locking element when in a locked position in said keeper slot.   
     
     
       2. The combination door handle and locking device as defined in claim 1, further including another striking plate and adjacent keeper slot on another end of said lockhousing and positioned so that said locking element must override said striking plate in a radial motion as said stem is rotated before entering a locked position in said keeper slot. 
     
     
       3. The combination door handle and locking device as defined in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said biasing means comprises a coil spring encircling said stem and a flat metal spring adjacent said keeper slot. 
     
     
       4. The combination door handle and locking device as defined in claim 1, wherein said stem is slidable and rotatable with a portion thereof protruding through the door to accommodate a knob by means of interengaging threads on said stem portions and said knob. 
     
     
       5. The combination door handle and locking device as defined in claim 2, wherein said locking element is rigidly attached to said stem and may be displaced to either side of said lock housing upon rotation of said stem. 
     
     
       6. The combination door handle and locking device as defined in claim 3, wherein said flat metal spring is rigidly mounted at the bottom center of the lock housing, said flat metal spring having portions extending outward at an angle toward each side of said lock housing and adjacent to said receiving slots. 
     
     
       7. The combination door handle and locking device as defined in claim 3, wherein said coil spring is disposed between one of said bearing plates on said lock housing and said locking element. 
     
     
       8. The combination door handle and locking device as defined in claim 1, wherein said striking plate extends at about 90° from one of said bearing plates on said lock housing. 
     
     
       9. The combination door handle and locking device as defined in claim 1, wherein said striking plate extends outward from one of said bearing plates, said striking plate being formed with a gradually sloping side and a vertical side wherein both sides extend toward the other of said bearing plates. 
     
     
       10. The combination door handle and locking device as defined in claim 9, wherein said striking plate is formed with said keeper slot recessed into the bottom of the vertical side adjacent to said one bearing plate. 
     
     
       11. The combination door handle and locking device as defined in claim 10, wherein the junction of said keeper slot and said vertical side is curved for easier retraction of said locking element from said slot.